Impact of Use of Press Mud as Fertilizer on the Concentration of Copper and Nickel in the Soil and Livestock Oat Fodder.

Present study was carried out to determine the effect of different doses of press mud on Cu and Ni concentrations of oat fodder (Arena sativa L.) in Sargodha, Pakistan. The Cu concentration increased with adding press mud to the soil of forages though not significantly. The highest value (1.53 mg/kg) of Cu was found in soil samples that received 1200 kg ha^-1 press mud however, it was not significant. The value of Ni soil concentration ranged from 0.55 to 1.76 mg/kg while that of Cu from 0.83 to 1.47 mg/kg and 0.88 to 1.08 mg/kg for early and late harvested leaves, respectively. The Cu concentrations of soil were numerically greater in the treatments receiving press mud (as full dose) compared to the control, while it was numerically lower in the treatments receiving press mud (as half dose). Highest Ni contents were observed for the early leaves of 3^rd treatment, while for the late leaves for the 6^th interval. Ni concentration ranges in early leaves was from 0.33 to 0.94 mg/kg and 0.27 to 1.1 mg/kg in late leaves. Concentration of Cu and Ni in soil and plant samples from all the treatments was found to be below the toxic level except late leaves which had Ni in toxic range. Consequently, feeding ruminants with this fodder would have no potential threat. The concentration of the heavy metals does not go above the suggested reference standards. In addition, it is suggested that press mud fertilizer does not show heavy metal poisonous squander, in addition, a first-rate resource of soil elements and organic stuff to the agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]